Say goodbye to boring, one-note salsas and hello to a bowl of pure, unadulterated sunshine! This Refreshing Cherry Tomato Salsa is the vibrant, zesty, and ridiculously easy recipe your summer has been begging for. Forget simmering pots and complicated techniques; this is a fresh, no-cook wonder that comes together in minutes. Using sweet, bursting-with-flavor cherry tomatoes, we create a salsa (often called a ‘pico de gallo’ style) with a chunky, scoopable texture that’s worlds away from the processed stuff in a jar. It’s the perfect companion for a bag of tortilla chips, a secret weapon for upgrading your tacos, and a brilliant topping for grilled chicken or fish. Get ready to make this your go-to recipe for every picnic, barbecue, and last-minute get-together!
Why You’ll Love This
- Incredibly Fresh Flavor: The combination of sweet cherry tomatoes, sharp red onion, zesty lime, and fresh cilantro is a taste of pure summer. It’s bright, clean, and completely addictive.
- Super Quick & Easy: This is a “chop and drop” recipe at its finest. If you can handle a knife, you can make this salsa in under 15 minutes. No cooking required!
- Perfect Texture: Unlike salsas made with large tomatoes that can get watery, cherry tomatoes provide a delightful pop and a chunkier, more satisfying consistency.
- Endlessly Versatile: Serve it as a classic dip, spoon it over tacos or burrito bowls, pile it onto grilled fish, or even use it as a base for a delicious bruschetta.
- Healthy & Vibrant: It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients. It’s a snack you can feel great about eating.
Ingredients & Equipment
Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes: 2 pints (about 4 cups), halved or quartered. These are the star! Their sweetness and lower water content are key. A mix of red, yellow, and orange tomatoes looks stunning.
- Red Onion: ½ medium, finely diced. Red onion provides a sharp, slightly sweet bite that complements the tomatoes perfectly.
- Jalapeño: 1, finely minced. For a kick of heat! Remove the seeds and membranes for less spice, or leave them in if you like it hot.
- Fresh Cilantro: ½ cup, chopped. Cilantro adds that classic, fresh, herbaceous flavor essential to any great salsa.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Use fresh garlic for the best, most pungent flavor.
- Lime Juice: From 1-2 fresh limes (about 2-3 tablespoons). Freshly squeezed lime juice is a non-negotiable for that bright, zesty finish.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon, or to taste. Salt is crucial for bringing all the flavors together and drawing moisture from the tomatoes.
- Optional – Cumin: ¼ teaspoon of ground cumin can add a subtle, smoky depth.
Equipment
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting Board
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Spoon or Spatula for mixing
- Citrus Juicer (optional, but handy)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep Your Veggies: Wash and dry all your produce. Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes, depending on their size, and place them in a large mixing bowl. Finely dice the red onion and the jalapeño, and chop the cilantro. Add them all to the bowl with the tomatoes.
- Add Aromatics: Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the bowl. The finer the mince, the better the garlic flavor will distribute throughout the salsa.
- Combine and Season: Squeeze the fresh lime juice directly over the ingredients in the bowl. Sprinkle with the salt (and cumin, if using).
- Mix and Marinate: Gently stir everything together until well combined. For the absolute best flavor, cover the bowl and let the salsa sit for at least 15-30 minutes at room temperature. This allows the salt to draw out the tomato juices and lets all the individual flavors meld into one delicious symphony.
- Taste and Serve: Give the salsa one final stir. Taste it with a chip and adjust the seasoning as needed. Does it need more salt? A bigger squeeze of lime? More heat? Once it tastes perfect, serve immediately with your favorite tortilla chips.
Pro Tips
- Don’t Skip the Rest! The 15-30 minute marinating time is crucial. It transforms the salsa from a simple mix of chopped vegetables into a cohesive, flavorful dip.
- The Finer, The Better: For the onion, jalapeño, and garlic, a fine dice is key. This ensures you get a little bit of every flavor in each bite without being overwhelmed by a large chunk of raw onion or garlic.
- Customize Your Heat: The spice in a jalapeño lives primarily in its white membranes and seeds. To make a milder salsa, be sure to scrape these out completely before dicing the pepper.
- Add-In Ideas: Feel free to get creative! A cup of grilled corn, a can of rinsed black beans, or a diced mango can add wonderful new dimensions of flavor and texture. If adding avocado, dice and stir it in just before serving to prevent it from browning.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cherry tomato salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be aware that the tomatoes will continue to release their juices, so the salsa may become more liquid the longer it sits. This is perfectly normal! Just give it a good stir before serving again. I do not recommend freezing this salsa, as the fresh tomatoes will become mushy upon thawing.
Print
Sweet Cherry Bomb Salsa
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A vibrant and refreshing cherry tomato salsa bursting with juicy tomatoes, zesty lime, and fresh herbs—perfect for dipping or topping tacos.
Ingredients
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, red onion, garlic, and jalapeño.
2. Add the chopped cilantro and freshly squeezed lime juice.
3. Season with salt and drizzle with olive oil if using.
4. Stir gently to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
5. Let the salsa sit for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
6. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
Choose sweet, ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
For a milder salsa, reduce or omit the jalapeño.
This salsa pairs beautifully with tortilla chips, grilled chicken, or fish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican